‘Burnt’ is delicious

On Bluray from director John Wells, The Weinstein Company and Anchor Bay comes a film full of bite even if the chef is a little “Burnt.”

Adam Jones (Bradley Cooper) is a chef with a lot of problems. Recovering from screwing up his life as a chef in Europe because of drugs and alcohol, Jones does what he considers a penance. Once the last shell is shucked, he returns to London with a dream.

That dream? To obtain a third Michelin star! To be reviewed, inspectors come into a restaurant secretly, order food and a decision is made. Jones knows what he must do to make this happen but its going to mean facing those he hurt years before.

Beginning with Tony (Daniel Bruhl), Jones enters his restaurant and orders a meal. After he is finished, Jones promptly tells Tony what he thinks which opens the door to them talking. The idea is for Jones and Tony to work together and open the best restaurant and prepare for the Michelin inspectors.

Jones enlists Max (Ricardo Scamarcio) and Michel (Omar Sy) from the old days along with David (Sam Keeley), a young man who has the same drive as Jones. Finally, he gets his hands on Helene (Sienna Miller), a single Mom who wants to cook beautiful food. The only competition in town is one-time friend Reece (Matthew Rhys).

But there are old scores to be settled, craziness to get under control, and an understanding of what everyone is striving for.

Cooper as Adam Jones takes this character every which way and loose. Trying to find his way back, the character of Jones is a hot mess and Cooper has an amazing way of making it look good to be said hot mess. Adding the fact that Jones is a crazy chef with a brilliant mind gives “Burnt” the right amount of what I enjoy — watching cooks in the kitchen. The mixture of crazy Gordon Ramsey tendencies (both in attitude and food), the character of Jones manages to bring together the best and brightest who want what he does, to be the best from start to finish. Besides, lets be honest, to those of us who just plain out love Cooper in anything he does is going to be happy.

Bruhl as Tony is equally as messed up and yes, Jones is to blame in a fashion. Resting on his laurels, or inheritance, Tony seemed fine with it until Jones walked through his doors. Yet, even then there is the realization that things could be amazing. Bruhl gives his character such tolerance but that tolerance is based on a secret — okay, Tony also knows Jones is the best. Bruhl seems to choose roles that continually surprise me and that always has me checking on what he is doing next.

Miller as Helene struggles as a single Mother to not only put food on her own table, but amazing food on the table of paying customers. Jones’ arrogance is on the outside and Helene’s is on the inside trying to get out.

Rhys as Reece has the hottest restaurant in town – that is until Jones arrives to test everything he knows and come to terms with it. Scamarcio as Max knows the history of the group and still believes in Jones, even when rage gets the better of him. Keeley as David keeps his head down and his ears open. Sy as Michel jumps on board with the new restaurant knowing that Jones had done him wrong in the past. As 2nd in command he seems happy being back with most of the old gang.

A shout out to Emma Thompson as Dr. Rosshilde, a therapist who doesn’t let Jones get away with anything and calls him out on every hidden emotion. Uma Thurman as Simone Forth, a food critic who knows she can make or break a chef. Also starring Lexie Benbow-Hard as Lily — a young girl who knows good food and doesn’t have a problem expressing her opinion. She would make an awesome food critic too!

Other cast include: Lily James as Sarah, Sarah Greene as Kaitlin, Alicia Vikander as Anne Marie, and Stephen Campell Moore as Jack.

Anchor Bay brings amazing entertainment to those extending their media library and is also celebrating their 20th Anniversary. From theatrical to home release, Anchor Bay brings STARZ Original series, AMC Network series, The Weinstein Company, Radius, children’s entertainment, fitness, and sports to fans. To discover more of what Anchor Bay Entertainment has to offer, please visit www.anchorbayentertainment.com.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give “Burnt” four tubs of popcorn out of five. Look, I’m a foodie at heart, I watch the Food Network and love the film RATATOULLE (yes, I get its animated and a rat is cooking — it’s still cool!), I am a Chopped marathoner and sit on the edge of my seat each season of Top Chef. So you know where I’m coming from now but that aside, I really enjoyed the film.

It’s a crazy story about people who are arrogant and neurotic but make art on a plate. There is a rush watching these characters go from zero to insane each evening for what some might consider a ‘silly star’. I get it I really do and congratulate any chef that can do it.

“Burnt” is a mixture of life, love, mistakes, regret, atonement, revenge, forgiveness and realizing that being excellent is not accomplished alone. I toast every bit of the film with a great wine and when asked what I thought of the film after viewing I could only say, “Delicious!”

The disc includes a Digital HD Ultraviolet to watch anywhere as well as the Bluray Special Features of: Feature Commentary with Director John Wells and Executive Chef Consultant Marcus Wareing, Deleted Scenes, In the Kitchen with Bradley Cooper and Q&A Highlights with Director and Cast.

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